Acts 10:28

And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Acts 10:28 (KJV)

Context

Peter speaks these words in the house of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, after receiving a divine vision that prepared him for this encounter. The early church was composed mainly of Jewish believers, and Jewish law and tradition strictly separated Jews from Gentiles. The Mosaic law forbade alliances with idolatrous nations, and later rabbinic traditions extended this to forbid social interaction, entering Gentile homes, and even traveling with Gentiles. Jewish teachers regarded Gentile houses as unclean, and some rabbinic sayings compared a Gentile’s court to the habitation of a beast. This deep-seated separation was well known to both Jews and Gentiles.

Meaning

Peter begins by acknowledging the cultural barrier: it was unlawful for a Jew to keep company with or visit a Gentile. This was not merely a matter of personal preference but a deeply ingrained religious and social norm. However, Peter immediately contrasts this with a new revelation: God has shown him not to call any man common or unclean. The Greek word translated “common” (koinos) means profane or defiled, while “unclean” (akathartos) refers to ritual impurity. Peter’s statement is a direct application of the vision he received, where God declared that what He has cleansed must not be called common. This revelation corrects a long-held tradition and redefines how believers view others.

Biblical connections

The vision of the sheet with unclean animals taught Peter that God’s cleansing power extends beyond dietary laws to people. The voice from heaven said, “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common” (Acts 10:15). This principle is rooted in the Old Testament, where God chose Israel to be a holy nation, but the prophets also foresaw that God’s salvation would reach the Gentiles (Isaiah 49:6). Peter’s declaration here is a pivotal moment in the early church, breaking down the barrier between Jew and Gentile and affirming that in Christ, there is no distinction. This truth is later echoed in Peter’s speech: “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34).

Application

Acts 10:28 challenges believers to examine their own attitudes and prejudices. Just as Peter had to unlearn a lifetime of cultural and religious assumptions, believers today are called to see others through God’s eyes. No person is beyond the reach of God’s grace, regardless of ethnicity, background, or social status. The gospel is universal, and salvation is available to all who believe. This verse also underscores the importance of divine revelation in correcting long-held traditions, even those that seem deeply rooted in Scripture. Peter’s willingness to change his behavior based on God’s direct revelation serves as a model for humility and obedience.

Reflection

Peter’s obedience to the vision led to the Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit, demonstrating God’s acceptance of all who believe. This passage calls for a radical reorientation of how we view others, seeing them not through the lens of cultural or religious categories but as individuals for whom Christ died. It encourages believers to embrace the diversity of humanity and to treat every person with dignity and respect, knowing that God’s love and salvation are for all people.